kevin_xyxl found and posted this survivor Courier at the Cohort. There used to be so many of these in town, but now I can think of only a couple that I know of. And they’re not the early version, like this one. I’m not sure why Kevin is so sure it’s actually a ’72, perhaps he ran the plate or VIN. But if it really is one, it’s from only the second year these Mazdas were sold here, and as a Ford at that.
Just like those Edsel names, the Courier was a Ford recycled name too. It had been used on sedan deliveries since 1952, but starting in 1959, there was no more windowless sedan delivery, and the Courier was used on the lowest-trim 2-door wagon.
I shot this ’59 Courier ten years ago, and wrote it up at the old site, but never brought it over here, as my views on the ’59 Ford have evolved some. Maybe I’ll get to it again sometime.
I did do a fairly comprehensive CC on the Mazda-based Courier pickup here, so if you want the longer story, click away.
And now it seems that after 35+ years gone from our shores, Ford may be bringing the Courier back to the US once again.
Well Carfax VIN lookup does not work on vehicles older than 1982 so your guess is as good as mine as to the year. The rust on this one looks bad, wonder if it is terminal?
Ford US asleep at wheel again, Triumph cars recycled the Courier badge on its Herald panel van/sedan Delivery in the early 60s, I’m not sure when Herald van production stopped but likely the badge was still warm when Ford snatched it back again.
That rebadged Mazda if a 72 would be a B1500 with OHV 1500cc engine good little utes but cramped cabs, the later B1600/1800 were a bit better and OHC under the bonnet.
The Courier is a ’72 or ’73…they were identical. In ’74, the “Courier” badge on the driver’s side of the hood was replaced with “F O R D” spaced out across it.
City of Santa Rosa, CA bought a mini-fleet of these. Same color, “close enough” to their Municipal Orange. They were tough little trucks, took a lot of abuse and kept right on going.
I read the old write-up on the ‘59 Courier at the other site; it is interesting to see how your writing style has changed Paul – now a little more formal and considered, recognizing the ‘evergreen’/timeless nature of the content, perhaps – a little less ‘off-the-cuff’ and soon dated…
Excellent photo! Something about it really speaks to me, it almost looks more like a photorealism painting. The color, the light, the shadows, all look great. And the truck just looks so simple yet interesting with lots of little details all over that don’t all necessarily “work” together yet obviously still do their job.
I don’t recall these as much of a presence until the second generation came along. I had therefore never noticed until now how much effort was put into designing a mini-F-100 grille for this truck.
And I had forgotten that the Courier name was used on the two door wagon in 59. Wagon names seemed particularly short-lived around that time.
It’s hard for me to acknowledge that the same people and culture that willingly – perhaps happily – bought and drove these trucks, has evolved in just one generation to need power steering, air conditioning, a V6 or at least turbo 4, an extended or dual cab and remote tailgate release, etc to run to Home Depot or the dump. And yeah, I’m probably one of those people. I do remember driving an early Courier and thinking it was a bit basic, even then. As I recall, the cab room was even less than contemporary Datsuns and LUV’s. The Toyota Stout and then Hilux always seemed a bit roomier.
The name was also used in Brazil for the UTE version of the Fiesta, from 1997 to 2013.
And on its cargo van version in Europe
These little trucks were so cramped. I’m over six foot tall and riding in them for long periods of time with my legs folded up under the dashboard is a killer. They have Wrangler-quality rides too. So, you get really beaten up. My mom likes small cars, but she never liked my little truck.
Also no air conditioning. In Chicago. I used to drive to work without a shirt so I wouldn’t sweat through my office shirt. Hilarious.